If you’re a huge fan or just openly curious about foldable smartphones, then this year is an exciting one.
This year has seen smartphone manufacturers go all in with foldables either in the bookstyle or clamshell format.
Here’s where we are with the foldable smartphones in Kenya so far.
TECNO Phantom V Fold
TECNO kicked off the year with the launch of their first foldable – the Phantom V Fold. In comparison, TECNO’s device was more affordable not just in Kenya but globally as well.
As a first-generation product from the company in the foldable space, the Phantom V Fold got a lot of things right. Flagship design, flagship performance, quality cameras, fast charging and long-lasting battery.
It came with a textured back finish, aluminium sides, stereo speakers, firm hinge, gorgeous and bright screens. It was powered by Dimensity 9000+ 5G processor, upto 21GB of RAM and 512GB of onboard storage.
It ran on Android 13 and HiOS 13 upgradeable to Android 14.
We got a 50MP main camera, 50MP telephoto with 2X optical zoom(20x Digital Zoom) and 13MP ultrawide. We have a 32MP lens in the cover display while the inner display has a 16MP lens.
Video capture is capped at 4K 60fps and 4K 30fps for ultra steady. Selfie videos are capped at 1080p 30fps.
It is powered by a 5000mAh battery and supports for 45W wired charging.
Pricing: Ksh 129,999(256GB) and 143,999(512GB)
TECNO Phantom V Flip
TECNO is also dipping its toes in the clamshell foldable format as well with the Phantom V Flip that’s launching later this year.
Very few details are known about it.
It is rumored that it will have these features:
- Android 13 upgradeable to Android 14
- 6.75″ 144Hz AMOLED main screen
- Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
- 50MP main camera with OIS and upto 4K video recording
- 32MP selfie camera
- Dimensity 8050 chipset with upto 16GB RAM and 256GB of onboard storage
- 4000mAh battery with support for 66W fast charging.
OPPO Find N2 Flip
OPPO launched their N2 Flip in May this year that features a less visible crease and gapless hinge when closed.
OPPO calls it the New Generation Flexion Hinge that can flex either a 110 degree angle or 45 degree angle to take flexform selfies.
This also means the phone unfolds completely flat when opened.
It comes with a a 6.8 inch inner LTPO display(120Hz) and a 3.26 inch AMOLED cover display. In comparison, Samsung’s Z Flip4 has a 6.7 inch inner display and a 1.9 inch cover display.
The inner screen supports HDR10+ and boasts of having upto 1600 nits in terms of peak brightness.
It has polished Aluminium sides with stereo speakers while the fingerprint scanner is embedded in the power button.
It comes powered by MediaTek’s Dimensity 9000+ 5G chipset paired with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of UFS 3.1 onboard storage. ColorOS 13 and Android 13 run the show.
For cameras we get a dual rear setup which includes a 50MP wide and 8MP ultrawide. Video is capped at 4K 30fps.
It comes in two colours – comes in two colours – Astral Black and Moonlit Purple.
Stay tuned for our full review.
Pricing: Ksh 129,000
OPPO Find N3
OPPO is also planning to bring its bookstyle foldable Find N3 to the country when it launches layer this year.
Here are the rumored features:
- 8 inch LTPO AMOLED screen with 120Hz refresh rate, HDR10+ support and 2268 x 2440 pixel resolution
- ColorOS 13 and Android 13
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 with RAM options starting at 12GB and 16GB
- Storage options include 256GB and 512GB
- Triple camera setup with Hasselblad Color Calibration : 50MP main(OIS), 32MP telephoto(2x optical zoom) and 48MP ultrawide
- 32MP selfie camera
- Stereo speakers (Dolby)
- 4800mAh battery with 80W wired charging
Samsung Z Fold5 and Z Flip5
July 26th is when Samsung will announce its new foldables – the Galaxy Z Fold5 and Z Flip5.
Z Fold5 will be powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 paired with 12GB RAM and faster UFS 4.0 onboard storage.
Samsung finally used a new droplet hinge fit the Fold which not only minimizes the crease but ensures the phone now completely folds when closed leaving no gap.
It’ll feature two 120Hz screens for the 6.2″ cover and inner 7.6″ display and IP58 rating.
The Z Fold5 will have the same camera from the Fold4 – the 50MP ISOCELL GN3.
Its clamshell sibling will rock a bigger external screen at 3.4 inches supporting Google apps optimized for this display.
They’ll be available from early August in Kenya.
